Fluid-motor or pump.



A. SUNDH.

FLUID MOTOR OR PUMP.

APPLICATION FILED APR.8.1913.

1 59,11. Patented Nov. 9, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

WITNESSES: 5 lNI/E/I/TOR /fvg l m ,4 HORNE Y A. SUNDH.

FLUID MOTOR 0R PUMP.

INVEIV TOR 2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

BY in W ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 9, 1915.

WTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUGUST SUNDH, OF HASTINGS-UPON-HUDSON, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR T0 OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

FLUID-MOTOR OR PUMP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 9, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AUeUsT SUN H, a citizen of the United States, residing in Hastings-upon-Hudson, in the county of Westchester and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Fluid-Motors or Pumps, of which the following is a specification.

'My invention relates to fluid motors or pumps, and more particularly to such devices employing a plurality of reciprocating pistons or plungers.

An object of the invention is the provision of a simple, practical and highly efficient motor of the reciprocating type which will develop great power at moderate speeds and will occupy a minimum amount of space.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a fluid pressure motor or pump consisting of but few parts, all of which are of simple design and rugged construction, and in which substantially all friction losses are eliminated.

Other objects of the invention will appear hereinafter, the novel combinations of 'elements being pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a sectional elevation view of a motor or pump constructed according to my invention; Fig. 2 is a similar view of the assembled motor; Fig. 3 is an end sectional view of the motor; Fig. 4 is an end assembly view; Figs. 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, are detail sectional views of each cylinder; Fig. 10 is a view of one of the end covers of the motor.

Like reference characters denote similar parts in all of the figures.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, it will be seen that the motor comprises a casing and top cover 2, together with two end plates or covers 3 and 4, which contain the entire motor. A five-throw crank shaft 6 is supported at either end upon anti-friction rollers 7, 7, which roll upon the shaft and hardened steel bushings 8, 8. The crank shaft 6 may be, and preferably is, of forged or unitary construction, but the same may be of built-up construction if so desired. The preferred construction is shown and comprises the shaft 6 and a plurality of integral disks such as 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14, between which are crank pins such as 15 (Fig. 3) arranged at an angle of 72 with respect to each other, as shown in Figs. 5 to 9, ncluslve.

While I haveshown five single acting cylinders operatively connected to a five-throw crank shaft, the number of cylinders is en tirely optional, and may be more or less than five but the number of cylinders is preferably an odd number, such as 3, 5, 9, 11, etc.

The crank shaft is supported intermediate the bearing rollers 7, 7, by means of rollers, 16, 16, which rotate in contact with the disks 11 and 12, and hardened steel bushings 17, 17, supported by the motor casing. As shown in Fig. 5, a cylindrical bushing 18 is rigidly secured in a bore in the casing and is securely held in place by the webs 19, 20 and 21, which latter also divide the easing into chambers 22, 23, 24 and 25, running lengthwise of the casing. A plurality of flat circular disks 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30, are placed side by side in the bushing 18, and, while closely fitting the latter, they are adapted to oscillate therein. Each of these disks, such as 26, contains a cylinder bore'31,

' which extends completely through the disk and whose axis is perpendicular to the axis of, the disk. A single acting piston or plunger 32 is located in the cylinder bore and is connected to the crank pin 15. A removable split bushing 39 is interposed between the plunger and the crank pin so as to provide for bearing renewal in case of wear. At diametrically opposite points on the perlpherv of the disk are rectangular ports 33 and 34, which connect with the bottom of the cylinder bore 31. Stationary ports such as 35, 36, 37 and 38, are cut in the bushing 18, and are adapted to register with the ports 33 and 34, in the disk, as the latter is oscillated about its center. The chambers 24 and 23, are in fluid communication with each other through a passage 40 provided in the end plate or cover 41 (Fig. 4), while the chambers 22 and 25 are likewise in communication by means of a passageway 42 in the 0pposite end plate or cover 43 (Fig. 10). The chambers 24 and 23 may be supplied with fluid pressure from a pipe 44, while the chambers 22 and 25 are connected to an exhaust pipe 45. Small holes, such as 46, 46, are bored through all of the disks from side to side and semicircular grooves 47, 47, are cut in the opposite faces of the disks connecting with these holes, and their purpose is-to relieve or equalize any pressure that may tend to accumulate between the adjacent faces of the disks.

If fluid pressure be supplied by the pipe 44 and conducted to the ports 35 and 38, the motor will rotate in an anti-clockwise direction, while if the pipe 45 be connected to a source of fluid pressure supply pressure will be conducted to the ports 36 and 37, and the motor will tend to operate in a reverse or clockwise direction. Any suitable valve could readily be connected with the pipes 44 and 45, so as to admit pressure to either one at will, and thus control the direction of rotation of the motor, but I have not deemed 'it necessary to illustrate such valve arrangement, since it would involve nothing new and forms, per se, no part of the invention.

The operation of the motor herein described is exceedingly simple and may be described'as follows: Assuming that the pipe 44 is connected to a suitable source of fluid pressure supply, such for instance as a pressure tank, pump or steam boiler, and the pipe 45 be led out to the open air or an exhaust tank, it will be seen that the ports 35 and 38 become pressure ports and the ports 36 and37 become exhaust ports. Since the piston or plunger 32 is on dead center, we will further assume that the crank shaft be slightly rotated in a counterclockwise direction. This rotary movement of the shaft will cause the crank pin 15 acting through the plunger 32 to effect a rotation of the disk 26 in a clockwise direction, so that the disk port 34 registers with the stationary pressure port 38, and the disk port 33 registers with the pressure port 35. Pressure now enters the cylinder bore 31 through the disk ports 33 and 34, and acting on the under side of the plunger 32 forces the latter upwardly and imparts a rotary movement to the crank shaft 6. As the plunger reaches its upper I dead center, the'disk 26 will have assumed the position shown in Fig. 3, with the disk ports 33 and 34 blocked ofl". A further rotary movement of the crank shaft in the same direction rotates the disk in a counterclockwise direction so that the disk ports 33 and 34 now register with the exhaust ports 36 and 37, and the fluid in the cylinder bore is forced out by the descending plunger, and this cycle is repeated as the crank shaft rotates. An inspection of Figs. 5 to 9, inclusive will show that when the plunger 32 is at its lower dead center as shown, the plungers of Figs. 5 and 6 are receiving pressure, while the plungers of Figs. 7 and 8 are discharging so that there will always be at least two plungers operating under pressure and at least two plungers discharging, where five plungers are used with symmetrically arranged crank pins.

It will be observed that the disk ports 33 and 34 are diametrically arranged on opposite sides of the disk and these ports co-act with the stationary pressure and exhaust ports in such manner that they first receive pressure at the same time and then simultaneously exhaust. In other words, whatever fluid pressure be exerted on one side of the disk an opposite and equal pressure will be exerted on the opposite side of the disk, so that the latter will always be under perfect fluid balance for every position it may assume. This arrangement of ports also effects a further result of decided advantage for the reason that the fluid may enter into, or discharge from, the cylinder bore through two ports which means that the fluid will have great freedom of entry and exit through ports which may be very moderate in cross sectional area.

It will further beobserved that the cylinder bore extends completely through the I disk and thus when pressure is introduced into the cylinder bore it acts against the lower end of the plunger and the bushing 18, and there is absolutely no tendency for the fluid to exert a pressure tending to force the disk into frictional contact with the bushing. This feature is of signal importance since it eliminates all fluid pressure friction and enables the motor to operate with an unusually high degree of efliciency.

With the relative arrangement of ports in the disk and bushing as shown, it will be seen that the fluid is directed from pressure to exhaust and vice versa, at a time when the plunger is passing the dead center, and consequently has a very small movement with respect to the cylinder bore and while the rate of movement of the disk is at a maximum. This arrangement provides for a quick opening and closing of the ports and at a time when the flow of fluid is at a minimum. This feature is of great practical advantage, since there can be no restricting of the fluid either in entering into or discharging from the cylinder, which is very important where the motor fluid is of an incompressible nature such as water or oil.

This method of controlling the ports permits of an unrestricted fluid passage and makes it possible to operate the motor at unusually high speeds.

The small holes 46 in each disk together with the grooves 47 form a passage commay be connected thereto.

If the crank shaft be rotated by outside means, such as a steam engine, electric motor, or other prime mover, the motor will operate as a pump, and as such will retain all of the many features of advantage already pointed out in connection with the motor acting as a motor.

A motor or pump constructed according to my invention and using a plurality of oscillating disk cylinders operating on a common crank shaft, will develop great power in a very small space. All valves are done away with, together with the usual connecting rods, cross heads, valve rods and other parts too numerous to mention. The motor is extremely simple, easy of manufacture and inexpensive to build. All of the parts are of generous size and easily accessible in case adjustment or renewal becomes neces sary after long continued use. The motor is in perfect balance, not only with respect to fluid pressure, but also mechanically, and the torque or turning movement of the crank shaft will be uniform throughout a complete revolution of the shaft.

It will be understood that while I have shown and described a motor or pump constructed in accordance With a preferred form of my invention, I wish not to be lim ited to the precise construction and arrangement of parts herein disclosed, since it is obvious that one skilled in the art could readily make or suggest minor changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. In a fluid pressure motor comprising a shaft, a circular disk containing a cylinder bore, a plunger in said bore connected to said shaft, ports in said disk, and means for directing fluid under pressure simultaneously through said ports to said cylinder bore to effect a rotation of said shaft.

2. In a fluid pressure motor comprising a shaft, a circular disk containing a cylinder bore, a plunger in said bore connected to said shaft, ports in said disk leading to one end of said cylinder bore, and a plurality of exhaust and pressure ports adapted alternately to register with said disk ports to effect a rotation of said shaft.

3. In a fluid pressure motor comprising a shaft, a circular disk containing a cylinder bore, a plunger in said bore connected to said shaft, a port in said disk leading to one end of said cylinder bore, pressure and exhaust ports, and means controlled by the oscillation of said disk for alternately connecting the said port to the said pressure and exhaust ports to effect a rotation of the shaft.

4. In a fluid pressure motor, the combination of a shaft, a casing having a cylindrical bore, chambers in said casing communicating with said bore by means of ports 10 from cated diametrically opposite each other, a circular disk in said bore, a cylinder bore in said disk, ports in said disk connected to said cylinder bore, and a plunger in said cylinder boreconnected to said shaft, whereby an oscillating movement of said disk will effect a registration of said chamber and disk ports to direct a fluid under pressure to said cylinder bore simultaneously (points on diametrically opposite sides of sai disk.

5. In a fluid pressure motor, the combination of a plurality of oscillating disks, a cylinder bore in, each disk, plungers in the cylinder bores connected to a common crank shaft, a casing for said disks, and an arrangement of exterior ports in which said disks are balanced against fluid pressure, said parts being adapted to direct a fluid to and from said cylinder bores and thereby effect a uniform rotary 'movement of the said crank shaft.

6. In a fluid pressure motor, the combination of a casing containing a cylindrical bore, a plurality of disk cylinders in contact with each other arranged side by side in said bore, a groove in the adjacent faces of said cylinders and similarly disposed with respect to said cylinders, and a port connecting all of said grooves for the purpose of equalizing fluid pressure on said cylinders.

7. In a fluid pressure motor, the combination of a casing, a circular bore in the easing, inlet and outlet ports on each side in said bore separated by a plurality of circular disks, a cylinder bore in each disk, plungers in each cylinder bore connected to a common crank shaft, covers for the casing containing ports connecting the respective inlet and outlet ports in said circular bore to one common inlet and one common outlet.

8. In a fluid pressure motor, the combination of a casing, a circular bore in said casing containing a bushing and forming with the casing a plurality of pressure and exhaust chambers, a plurality of circular disks in said bushing, a cylinder bore in each of the said disks, a crank shaft, a plungerin each cylinder bore connected to said crank shaft, ports in said disks adapted to register with corresponding ports in said bushing, ports for connecting said bushing ports with said chambers, and means for controlling said ports by the oscillation of the -dis's.

9. In a fluid pressure motor, the combination of a plurality of oscillating cylinders, a plunger in each cylinder, and an arrangement of ports exterior the cylinders in which the cylinders are balanced, said ports conveying fluid to and from the plunger cylinadapted to oscillate,

bores connected to a common crank shaft, ports in said disks leading to said bores, and stationary ports adapted to register with the disk ports, said stationary ports being arranged to maintain the disks balanced when said stationary and disk ports are out of register.

11. A fluid pressure motor comprising a cylinder, a casing in which said cylinder is adapted to oscillate, and means for balancing said cylinder in every direction.

12. A fluid pressure motorcomprising a cylinder, a casing in which said cylinder is and fluid pressure means for balancing said cylinder in every direction. I

'13. A fluid pressure motor comprising a disk, a cylinder bore formed insaid disk, a casing in which said disk oscillates, a crank shaft, a piston in the cylinder bore connected with the crank shaft, and means for balancing the lateral faces of said disk against unequal pressure.

14. A fluid pressure motor comprising a disk, a cylinder bore formed in said disk, a casing in which said disk oscillates, a crank shaft, a piston in the cylinder bore connected with the crank shaft, and a port connecting the lateral faces of the disk for effecting a balance in pressure on said lateral faces.

15. In a fluid pressure motor, the combination of a crank shaft, a casing having a circular bore,a plurality of cylindrical disks adapted to oscillate in said circular bore, cylinders formed in said disks, plungers in the cylinders connected with the crank shaft, and a port in each disk adapted to establish a fluid communication between the lateral faces. of all of the disks for balancing the disks against lateral-pressure.

' AUGUST SUN DH.

Witnesses: 4

JAMES BETHELL, ERNEST L. GALE, 'Jr.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my- 

